Did Pakistan's Aerial Attack on India Get Thwarted by Air Defence Systems?

New Delhi, May 8 (NationPress) An aerial assault by Pakistan aimed at Jammu and various military installations near the western border was effectively thwarted by India's air defence systems on Thursday night.

The attempted offensive, which involved drones and missiles, resulted in blackouts and sirens sounding throughout several regions in Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, and Rajasthan. Authorities advised residents to stay indoors and remain alert as emergency measures were put into action.

In light of the attacks, India has reportedly initiated retaliatory actions.

As per the Integrated Defence Staff, there was no damage inflicted on the military stations, which include Jammu and Udhampur.

"Military Stations of Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur, located near the International Boundary in Jammu & Kashmir, were targeted by Pakistan using missiles and drones. No losses occurred. The threat was neutralised by the Indian Armed Forces as per Standard Operating Procedures using both kinetic and non-kinetic means," stated the IDS in a post on X.

Sources indicate that Indian air defences successfully neutralised several drones launched near the Jammu airport, with no casualties reported.

Additionally, eight missiles were intercepted near Jammu, all of which were destroyed, according to media reports. The attack also caused a temporary blackout at the Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district, with similar power outages reported in Srinagar amidst increased security measures.

Furthermore, an F-16 supersonic fighter jet belonging to the Pakistan Air Force was downed in the evening by an Indian surface-to-air missile defence system, as reported by NDTV.

The F-16, which departed from the Sargodha air base, was shot down in its vicinity, according to sources.

This aggressive move by Pakistan followed closely on the heels of an earlier attempt to target 15 Indian cities, which was successfully inhibited.

Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Air Force Wing Commander Vyomika Singh confirmed that cities and towns such as Awantipora, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bathinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj were included in the target list. Nevertheless, India's integrated counter-UAS grid and robust air defence capabilities successfully neutralised all threats. Debris collected from various locations confirmed that the drones and missiles were launched from Pakistani territory.

In a rapid retaliatory response, Indian armed forces targeted and dismantled several Pakistani air defence systems, including a significant installation located in Lahore. Concurrently, the military of Pakistan also engaged in unprovoked shelling in the Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, and Rajouri sectors of Jammu & Kashmir, utilizing heavy artillery and mortars. This aggression tragically resulted in the deaths of 16 civilians, including five children and three women. The Indian Army provided a firm and proportionate response.

Previously, India had executed precise airstrikes under Operation Sindoor, targeting nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, reportedly eliminating around 100 militants.